My 1905 catalog has this to say about Smith Grade 2 barrels "The new Crown Steel barrels are made specifically for this grade; ....... Wonderfully strong, they were successful from the first pair we ever used. They are made specially for us and are used exclusively by us; they are very hard, and thus not easily bent or dented. A good quality of Chain Damascus will be furnished if desired; our Chain Damascus is very popular". And they (Smith Chain Damascus barrels) were indeed very popular, because they were a danged fine looking set of tubes; but Crown Steel barrels were the standard issue Smith Grade 2 and 3 barrels steels from the time Hunter introduced their "Crown Steel"; with Chain Damascus (and other Damascus barrels on very early Grade 2 guns) optional from that point forward. As FYI, customers could special order other non-cataloged barrel steels on Grade 2 and 3 guns, and I've seen one Grade 3 with Krupp barrels.
As to the above referenced research letter, all that remains of the original company production records are the shipping ledgers; and on Smith guns shipped prior to 1919, there is very little information provided on the overwhelming majority of the serial numbers contained therein. In most cases each page will be divided into two sections that contain six columns each as follows: serial number, gauge, grade, barrel length/s, inspector initial, and ship date. Therefore, assuming that was the information you received; then you received everything that was available. But confirmation of whatever visual information you have regarding the gun in hand is very valuable, even if all you have basically received is confirmation of the original barrel length (as in your barrels were not chopped!). Now, did the information you receive give one or two barrel lengths? If not, then the gun shipped originally with one set of barrels which are most likely the Chain Damascus set; if the record lists two barrel lengths, then you have confirmation that the gun went to its original owner with one set of Crown and one set of Chain Damascus barrels. Now, if the second set of barrels was fitted at Hunter Arms, and not by an after-market gunsmith; there will be a stamp on the barrels to identify the second set. That stamp will be on the fore iron hanger lug, which will be stamped with the number "2"; and you will also find a corresponding "2" stamp on the fore irons of second-barrel sets ordered with a matching forearm. However, there will be no corresponding factory provided "1" stamp on the original barrel set and fore iron.
Last edited by topgun; 12/20/10 03:07 PM.
